Photography. Life.

Find the joy

I know I post often on motherhood topics, but it is where I am at this stage on life, so bear with me 🙂

Our barn is set up with an overhead door on the end, and it’s finally warming up a bit so we can keep the door open sometimes. I love it, because I can see out, and catch glimpses of the children when they are outside. Tonight as we milked, it was a bit chilly, so we only had it open a little bit. It was enough for me to see a pair of little legs, clad in pink boots, running back and forth on the front walks, followed by 4 furry legs, running behind her. How it made me smile.

I know all too often that I neglect to take notice of the little things. So quickly they grow up, no longer the tiny, crying babes we brought into the world. I read something from a young mother that really caught my attention. I don’t remember her words exactly, but she said something about how are children were given to us, they are our mission field. And she really encouraged mothers to remember that.

This really spoke to me. Sometimes I think it can feel like we are so busy taking care of our families, and not doing enough to help others. Don’t get me wrong, I think we must take time to be there for others. But in meeting the needs of our children, we are doing what God has called us to do. We are raising little souls.

I know I do not always think of it that way. When life just feels hard, and you are tired of all the messes, the fighting, the crying. But perhaps, if we can think of it as fulfilling our God given role, we can be encouraged, and keep on training, disciplining, and loving our children. Our blessings from God.

My prayer for you this week, is that you can be joyful in what you are called to do. That you take notice of the little things, and that you smile 🙂

And because I find it hard to do a post without photos :), here are some shots from my phone, of the little moments we’ve had lately.Taking a walk while waiting on Tristan to finish his vision therapy session.“Helping” me wash dishes.Delicious oreo cheesecakes from a sweet friend {you know who you are} 🙂Having her hot chocolate.My sweet boy and our farm dog, hanging out with me at milking time.Playing with toothpicks in the morning sun.Enchilada casserole.Hittin’ the books 🙂My 2 silly girls ❤Sunset photo from a walk out the farm lane. God’s beautiful masterpiece.

Like this:

Related

Post navigation

14 thoughts on “Find the joy”

The trouble with joy in mothering is that it doesn’t always happen automatically–at least not for me. I have to look for it. There are those guaranteed moments of joy, like my little guy’s fresh-out-of-bed cuddliness. But then there are those other times when I have to deliberately look in my child’s eyes and smile, even when I’m tired and the kitchen is a mess and I don’t feel like cleaning it up and neither does she.

Such true words! So often we forget that there could be no nobler calling than the one we currently have. God has been dealing with me so much on this lately, also. These precious years! How quickly they are passing…while we try to hold on to the moments, they slip through our helpless grasps! Only memories are left behind, along with the effects of our mothering. God help us to leave the fingerprints upon them that HE wants us to. We don’t get the chance to do this over.

I’m sure it is hard, Shannon. I heard of a young mother of 4 that passed away, and my heart breaks for all these families and friends dealing with death. But it also reminds me to remember we are never guaranteed tomorrow. Praying for you!

Thanks Jolene. I needed this reminder to look for joy. My husband has been so busy and working so recently and I find myself sliding into a pity party too often. Why is it so easy to look for things to whine about?
Gina

That sunset photo really blessed me. So did your words. It’s been a struggle not to have much of a ministry outside of family obligations and being a mother. Try as I might to think of it as my mission, it doesn’t always feel that way or come naturally sometimes. Sometimes, it’s comforting to hear another mother say these things, so thanks.